Mainnets: The Live Production Version of Blockchain Networks

A mainnet is the live production version of a blockchain network where transactions have real economic value and are permanently recorded. When a cryptocurrency project launches its mainnet, it marks a significant milestone in its development journey.

Mainnets are different from testnets, which are used for testing and validation purposes before the mainnet launch. The key difference between a mainnet and a testnet lies in the economic incentives of the consensus mechanism. On a mainnet, validators have real capital at risk, while on a testnet, they don't.

Mainnet launches carry risks that testnets do not. Bridge contracts that control the flow of value between layers are high-value targets for attackers. Smart contract bugs that were not caught during testing become exploitable the moment real value is deposited.